The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-03-05
This was all the evidence on the Majors

On the other hand, Mr.. Timothy Trap
,wore positively to Cicely, the Majors
marc, and declared his firm belief-though
he declined actually TO swear to it--that the
Major was the man who robbed him. He
could not see his features for the mask that
covered them, but the figure was as like the
Majors build as was possible.
The witnesses cross-cxamif alton by tho
Majors counsel only made matters worse;
for being asked how he came to know the
Major and his mare so well, he replied that
in his capacity Of traveller for Linscy IL
Son, of the Golden Fleece, Cheapsidc, he
was constantly at Plumberton and In conse-
quence was well acquainted by sight with
both bipcd and quadrupcd. Cross-eyod
Dick. the hostlcr of the Wheatsheaf, was
finally called Gt was noticed that this wit
ness gave his evidence very willingly.) He
declared that when he awoke, soon after
daybreak, he visited the stable where
Cicely was, the mare showed decided signs
OF having been out in the night since he had
fed and bedded her down. She was splashed
all over with mud and looked very much
distressed. Asked IL he mentioned tho
circumstance to the Maj jor or any body elsc
he replied he did not, because, in the first
instance, he was afraid of the Major aud in
the second thought IL was no business of
his.
The trial of Major George Brabazon, late
OF His Majcsty's -th Regiment of Foot. is
over, and thcprisoner has been found guilty
and sentenced to death. A petition, signed
by nearly every one in the county-hgli
and low-had been sent up to His Majesty
in London, but to no purpose. Too many
gentlemen of late had taken TO the road, and
an example was needed. There was no help
for ii. Every thing that could be done had
been done, and there was nothing more to
do now but to wait for the end. The only
cheerful person concerned, oddly enough
was the Major himself. "a man can die
but once" said he. "But l should have
liked to have had one more gallop on my
dear old Cicely before came to an end.
innocent of it all, that's one consolation, and
l think you may take my word for it that
George Brabazon will die game.'"
The execution was fixed to take place on
the Monday following the trial, on gallows
erected ON Hangman's Heath, close to the
scene of the outrage The preceding Sun
day was sad one, you may depend, to the
inhabitants of Plumperton. Sermons were
preached alluding to the sad event in all the
churches. and people spoke with bated
breath of the tragedy that was to be enacted
on the morrow.
The tide was to turn, though, in a most
unexpected manner At nine o'clock at
night, when the streets were still full OF
loitercrs, horseman came gathering
through the town, whose disordercd attire
and the jaded appearance of his steed de-
noted that he had come from distance
Pulling up at the first group of loiterers he
came to, he eagerly inquired the neares,
way to the Jail.
"I've free pardon for Major Brabazon
who was left for execution on the morrow
in my pocket" said he, "and must give il
into the Governors hands at once"
Fifty willing guides were found at once
to show the messenger the way to the
prison. Meanwhile the good news spread
like wildtire. The town went mad with de
| light. The women shed tears of Joy, the
men shouted and yelled until they were
hoarse. mob that soon mustered some
thousands rushed Off to the Jail, and cheeret
until the Governor of the prison made hi.
appearance and addressed the crowd.
1t was all true, he said. The Major wa.
an innocent man. A prisoner lying in New
gate under sentence of death had confessed
that he was the stranger who had dinet
with the Major at the Wheatsheaf on Tho
night of the robbery; that with the aid O.
Cross-eyed Dick, the hostler, he had alb
stracted the Majors mare for the occasion
| "a portion of the mob rushed off ut thi!
point in search of Cros-eyed Dick, on whom
they vowed summary vengeance), had rid
den forth, robbed the mail, restored tn,
mare to her stable, and taken his departur,
ON his own horse before the Major was up
That's the story, boys,' said the Gov
| ernor. snow go away, and come here to
morrow morning at eleven o'clock and fetcl
your friend Major George away Come il
your thousands, if you like" added he
laughing.
''Three cheers for the Major. Ay, thre,
times three! And three for the Governor.
The mob cheered them both, and the mar,
and the Widow Thomson, until they wert
hoarse-also thirsty. They they went away
Bells pealing, people shouting, ever,
body in his best clothes, and all assembled
in front OF Plumperton jail to greet the
Major on his return from captivity. A little
space is kept clear close to the prison gates
in which space a carriage and four is drawn
up, containing the Widow Thomson and hel
friend, Mrs. Matchum, both in their smart
est attire, and both in tears. Behind the
carriage, held by the Majors groom, stand.
|
chief, submitting patiently to the attention.
Of the mob.
But, bark! the different clocks in thu
town chime eleven.
A terrific roaring goes forth from the
multitude as the huge prison gates slowly
| open at the last stroke Of the hour.
A still more terrific roaring goes forth as
the Major, apparently as fresh and we'll as
ever, appears, leaning on the Governors
arm. But just imagine what terrific
noise there was when the mare Cicely wa.
seen to break from her attendant ut the
! first sound Of her old masters voice, and
galloping up to where he stood, rub her soft
muzzle against his face and shoulders ir
the most loving manner possible, saying, as
plain as mare could speal-"My dear, deal
master, am so pleased to sec you!'
One touch of nature makes the whole
world kin. The Major, though hitherto he
/ had borne up like a man, could stand it nC
longer. This touching behavior on Cicely'.
part was too much for him, and, fairly break
ing down, he tlasped his favorite round the
neck and wept aloud. Even the stern Gov
ernor was obliged to turn his head away
The Major, once more himself again, mount
ed Cicely, who arched her neck and whinnied
with delight as he did so, and taking his
place beside the carriage containing his fai,
fiance, o move was made for home. How
long they took getting there it is impossible
to say, but this is certain, by the time they
did get there Major Georges hands were
all but wrung of from the shaking they
| underwent en- route, and as for Cicely, she
scarcely had hair in her tail left, owing to
the anxiety of the good people to possess q
memento Of this never-to-be-forgotten day
Not long after the Major and the widow
Thomson were married, on which occasion
the good folk Of Plumperton made another